President Trump wants to maintain secrecy of some Michael Cohen papers

By Stephen Rex Brown

Jun 07, 2018 | 2:30 AM

President Trump, seen with Michael Cohen in 2011, hopes to keep some of the papers the FBI seized from his lawyer confidential. (Matthew Cavanaugh/Getty Images)

President Trump wants to make sure some of the papers the FBI seized from his lawyer Michael Cohen stay out of public view -- and he wants to explain why using an extra degree of confidentiality.

A new letter filed by Trump attorney Joanna Hendon in connection with the FBI’s investigation of Cohen says Trump wants to challenge a ruling regarding what prosecutors may and may not use in the case.

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A retired judge, Barbara Jones, is currently reviewing the material seized by agents from Cohen's law office and residences on April 9 to make sure the information respects Trump’s right to keep his dealings with Cohen confidential.

On Monday, Jones issued her first report showing that of the material she'd reviewed so far, only a fraction of it was protected by privilege.

Trump attorney Joanna Hendon, pictured outside Manhattan Federal Court in April, has filed a new letter arguing that more of Cohen's paperwork should be protected by attorney-client privilege. (Jefferson Siegel/New York Daily News)

Trump believes more material should be kept secret than Jones would allow.

Hendon asked Judge Kimba Wood to let her submit the letter explaining why the material was protected by attorney-client privilege under seal. She doesn’t want her letter to be viewed by the government.

"The submissions at issue will disclose matters pertaining to privilege and the grand jury investigation, exclusively," Hendon wrote.

The letter could be submitted at soon as Thursday, Hendon added, if Wood approves of the extra level of secrecy.

Cohen is reportedly under investigation for violation of campaign finance laws, as well as wire and bank fraud.